Traditional sweets are an essential part of hospitality, festive tables and long tea-time conversations in Turkish cuisine. Treats such as lokum, cezerye, pestil and walnut sucuk are made from recipes passed down from generation to generation and are still much loved today. The Sweets collection from WeNatur brings these flavours from our warehouse in Germany to your table in Europe.
This guide gives a short background on traditional sweets, the product groups in our collection, points to check on the label when buying, serving ideas and storage tips.
What are traditional sweets?
The traditional sweets of Turkish cuisine are treats made by skilfully working basic ingredients such as sugar, starch, fruit syrup, nuts and milk. The best-known member of this family is lokum: a soft dough cooked with starch and sugar is enriched with pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts or fruit flavours. Cezerye is made by caramelising carrots with sugar and is usually finished with nuts and coconut. Pestil is made by drying fruit syrup into thin sheets, while walnut sucuk is produced by coating walnut halves with a thick syrup.
What these products have in common is that they are served in small portions with tea and coffee and are made to keep for a long time. That is why traditional sweets have also become a classic part of gift parcels sent to loved ones far away.
Traditional sweets in the WeNatur collection
Kinds of lokum
Lokum makes up most of the traditional sweets in the collection. For lovers of classic flavours, the Double-Roasted Pistachio and Coconut Double Lokum comes in cube form with a filling of 20 % double-roasted pistachios and a coating of grated coconut. The Pistachio-Coated Pistachio Roll Lokum, with its white lokum base made with soapwort extract, whole pistachios and an outer coating of ground pistachios, offers a double layer of pistachio flavour.
If you prefer fruity flavours, you can choose between the Barberry and Pomegranate Pistachio Lokum and the Pomegranate Pistachio Sultan Roll Lokum 1000 g; the first contains 14 % and the second 16 % pistachios. The Fig and Walnut Roll Lokum is made with dried figs, walnut pieces and grated coconut. For large gatherings, the Slivered Pistachio Orange Cocktail Lokum 900 g stands out with its orange flavour and mixed nut filling.
Modern takes are part of the collection too. The Kadayif Pistachio Lokum brings soft lokum together with crispy kadayif; the Lotus Biscoff cream sandwich lokum, the chocolate-coated lokum, the cake-filled lokum and the Mini Biscuit Lokum combine different textures. To see all kinds of lokum on one page, visit the Traditional Turkish Lokum collection.
Cezerye and pestil
Cezerye made from carrots appears in the collection in two different leaf forms. The Pistachio and Coconut Leaf Cezerye contains large pistachio kernels, while the Hazelnut and Coconut Leaf Cezerye is made with 15 % roasted Black Sea hazelnuts. On the pestil side, the Muska Pestil with Hazelnut Paste comes as pestil sheets folded into triangles and the Sarma Pestil with Hazelnut Paste in roll form; both have a hazelnut paste filling and come in 350 g packs.
Walnut sucuk, milk jam and Dubai chocolate
The Walnut Sucuk (Butterfly Cut) 350 g is a soft-textured treat made by coating large walnut halves with thick syrup. For breakfast tables and dessert recipes, Zühre Ana Milk Jam comes in a 210 g glass jar with a thick consistency. If you want chocolate and pistachio together, try the WeNatur Dubai Style Chocolate. For more chocolate options, see the Chocolates page, and for nuts and fruit bars, the main Snacks & Sweets collection.
Buying traditional sweets: what to check on the label
- Nut content: In lokum and cezerye, the share of pistachios or hazelnuts (for example 14 %, 15 %, 16 % or 20 %) is stated on the label and directly affects the taste.
- Allergens: These products often contain pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, milk or wheat flour. The ingredients list of the walnut sucuk, for example, includes honey, milk, mulberry, sugar, wheat flour and walnuts.
- Gluten information: Products with kadayif or biscuit contain gluten; if you are looking for a gluten-free option, check the information on the product page.
- Shape and pack size: Roll, cube, rolled-up or leaf form determines how you serve it. Packs of 300–350 g suit small treats, while 900 g and 1000 g packs suit large gatherings.
- Storage conditions and best-before date: As moisture and heat can affect the texture of these products, always check this information.
The ingredients list, allergen information and serving suggestion are on every product page and on the label. If you have any questions, you can reach us via our contact page.
Serving and hosting ideas for traditional sweets
- With Turkish coffee: Two pieces of lokum next to a cup of Turkish coffee is the most classic way to treat guests.
- At tea time: Leaf cezerye, slices of pestil and walnut sucuk go very well with strong brewed tea.
- At breakfast: You can spread the milk jam on bread or add it to pancakes and crêpes.
- Serving platter: Cut roll lokum into thin slices and arrange it on a colourful plate with cube lokum and cezerye.
- Gift: A box of different kinds of lokum and pestil is a thoughtful gift for holidays and special occasions.
Storage tips
Traditional sweets such as lokum, cezerye and pestil can be affected by moisture and heat. Store the products away from sunlight in a cool, dry place with the packaging closed. Transferring opened packs to an airtight container helps preserve the softness of the lokum and the texture of the coating. Keep chocolate-coated products away from warm places. For the milk jam, follow the storage conditions on the label. You will find the best-before date of each product on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions about traditional sweets
What is the difference between lokum and cezerye?
Lokum is made from a soft dough cooked with starch and sugar. Cezerye, on the other hand, is made by caramelising carrots with sugar and is offered in leaf form in our collection.
How is roll lokum served?
Roll lokum comes in the shape of a long log; before serving, you can cut it into thin slices with a sharp knife.
Which traditional sweets are suitable as gifts?
To offer different flavours together, you can combine several kinds of lokum with pestil and cezerye. For large groups, packs of 900 g and 1000 g are practical.
How does shipping work?
Orders are shipped from our warehouse in Germany with DHL or DPD; shipping within Germany is free for orders of 100 € or more. You will find the details in our shipping policy.
Conclusion
From lokum to cezerye, from pestil to walnut sucuk, traditional sweets reflect the deep-rooted culture of hospitality in Turkish cuisine. In the wide WeNatur selection you will find classic recipes alongside modern takes, and by reading the label you can choose the product that best suits your taste. For all products, visit the Sweets collection.
Source: Wikipedia – Turkish cuisine
